Folding crate.



No. 649,660. Patented May I5, I900. J. C. ERITY.

FOLDING CRATE.

{Application filed Nov. 28, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 649,860. Patented May l5, I900. J. C. EBITY.

FOLDING CRATE.

(Application filed Nov. 28, 1899.\ (N 0 H o d a l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

'attozmg THE NORRIS PEYERS co. Maia-Lama, wAswmnromnc.

Nrrnn Sterne ATENT FOLDING CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,660, dated May 15,1900.

Application filed November 28, 1899. Serial No. 738,578. (No model.)

To all whom, it 712.027 concern:

Beit known that 1, JOHN C. ERITY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hillman, in the county of Montmorency and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Crates, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to folding crates adapted for the shipment ofmerchandise and produce; and the object is to provide a simple, durable,and inexpensive crate which will be held in unfolded position firmlywhen in use and capable of being folded into small compass for return tothe shipper.

The construction and characteristic features of the invention will befully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this specification, and defined in theappended claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a crate embodyingthe invention when in unfolded position ready for use. Fig. 2 is a planview showing the sides and ends of the crate disconnected and inposition to be folded. Fig. 3 is an end elevation illustrating thefastening devices of the cover and means for connecting the ends andsides of the crate. Fig. et is a detail sectional view on the line 4: 4of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the crate in its foldedposition.

The reference-numeral 1 designates the bottom of the crate, and 2 and 3the sides thereof, secured to the bottom by internal hinges t and 5. Thejoints of the hinges 4, securing the side 2, register with the junctionof the side and bottom; but the joints of the hinges 5, securing theside 3, are above the lower edge of the side 3 a distance equal to thethickness of the sides to permit the sides 2 and 3 to be overlapped, asshown in Fig. 4. This is accomplished by bending the lower leaves 6 ofthe hinges 5 at right angles, as shown in the drawings.

The ends 7 and 8 are hinged to the ends of the bottom by hinges 9,secured externally to allow said ends to be folded under the bottom. Theends of the side pieces 2 and 3 are each formed with dovetail recesses10 to re ceive correspondingly-shaped lugs 11,pro, 'ecting from oppositesides of the ends. It will be noted that these recesses and lugs are outof horizontal alinement, which serves to brace the crate transversely.

Each of the ends 7 and 8 is provided on its outer side with two staples12 and 13, arranged at opposite inclinations.

14c designates the crate-c0ver,provided with parallel depending side andend flanges 15 and 16, adapted to overlap the sides and ends of thecrate. To the lower edge of each of the end flanges 16 are securedpivotally two hooks 17, adapted to engage the oppositely-inclinedstaples 12 and 13 of the end pieces.

One of the sides of the crate is provided near each of its ends with twostaples 1b and 19,disposed at opposite inclinations,fora pur pose whichwill be hereinafter described.

If desired, the side pieces 2 and 3 may be formed with vertical groovesto receive a removable partition. (Not shown.) Vhen it is desired tocollapse and fold the crate, the sides 2 and 3 are folded inward uponthe bottom 1, overlapping each other, the side 2 being lowermost and theconstruction of the hinges 5 permitting the side 3 to be folded downupon the side 2, parallel thereto. The ends 7 and 8 are then folded downon the urn der side of the crate-bottom 1, and the cover 14 is placedover the end pieces,the end flanges 16 being of sufficient depth tobring their lower edges flush with the side 3, so that the hooks securedthereto may be engaged by the stapics 18 and 19 on said side 3. Thus thecrate is firmly'secured in its folded position ready for return to theshipper. If a removable partition 01' folding egg-cells, in case thecrate is used for eggs or like merchandise, are employed, these partsmay be secured beneath the cover.

The crate constructed as above described is readily manipulated to foldor unfold and may be manufactured at small expense.

I claim-- In a folding crate, the combination with a bottom, of sidepieces hinged thereto by internal hinges, the leaves of the hinges ofone oppositely-inclined staples on the outer side of said sides beingbent at right angles; end of one of the side pieces. 10 pieces securedby external hinges; dovetail In testimony whereof I affix my signatureconnections for the sides and ends, a cover in presence of twowitnesses.

5 having end flanges, of a depth equal to the JOHN C. ERI'IY.

thickness of the bottom, sides, and ends when WVitnesses folded; hookssecured to said flanges; oppo- MAY CRAWFORD,

sitely-inclined staples 0n the end pieces; and LUCRETIA CRAWFORD.

